Litter in pristine places

The English language assigns an identity to a perpetrator if the hideousness of their act, or crime, is sufficient. For instance, if you commit “murder” you will henceforth be known as a “murderer”. For misdemeanours of a more benign nature we assign more temporary “tags”. For instance, those who jump queues are referred to as “assholes”, or some other colloquial expression.

I see the need to add to the English language a word that does justice to the act of littering. We should consider degrees of littering – without trying to justify any of it – because in the squalor of a squatter camp, or central Jozi where rubbish bins overflow, one has some understanding of the act. However, it takes a special kind of callousness to venture into nature and drop your rubbish in a pristine environment. I consider the guilty to be “litter-shits”, and those who drop cigarette butts get the special designation of “ash-holes”.

The most recent “crime scene” I visited was Boulder Camp, right next to Crystal Pools in the Cederberg. It takes a full day to hike there, and the trail takes you through some of the most stunning terrain the Cederberg has to offer. The site is nestled between two rocky outcrops on a level grassy patch, sprinkled with large, shapely boulders and flanked by a bubbling stream with clear pools – truly a bit of paradise. What made the discovery annoying was the knowledge that the culprits were all on an overnight hike – surely they should know better?

Litter discovered at Boulder Camp in the Cederberg. Photo: Hiking South Africa.

We were a group of six friends on a five-day hike. This was our first overnight site and also the most remote of all the spots we stayed at. It was quite shocking to discover the amount of litter. There were numerous places where toilet paper and faeces were left on camping spots – probably due to carelessness or the inconvenience of rain. At one spot a large amount of rubbish (plastic, packaging, etc.) was dumped, and we even found an old pair of underwear. Clearly this was not the work of one culprit, but of many hikers over time.

Accumulated litter near the Boulder Camp site. Photo: Hiking South Africa.

We could not in good conscience leave the place as we found it, so we did a clean-up on the morning of our departure. To be honest, it seemed obvious that one couldn’t leave the mess. The only stretch was to collect other people’s loo paper, but some sharp sticks eased the gross factor.

Some pointers on littering, paper and plastic

In a group, lead by example: make it part of the trail briefing to give instructions on how to deal with rubbish, and pick up any litter found along the way. Don’t hesitate to confront people who litter – do it courteously and try to win their cooperation instead of just arguing. If they don’t comply, clean up after them anyway. Litter is like graffiti: one piece often leads to more. Cleaning up may prevent others from dropping rubbish in the same spot.

Toilet paper is the biggest culprit and is often found in completely inappropriate places: right next to crags, trails, water sources and campsites. The rule is to do your business at least 30 m from any of these areas; add 20 m if it’s a #2. Toilet paper should preferably be carried out with you in resealable packets (Ziploc), or alternatively buried by digging a hole 15–20 cm deep and disguising it afterwards.

Plastics, tins and other packaging should always be carried out. Plastic “spring water” bottles are the biggest plastic pollutant in the world and the industry should not be supported. I prefer stainless steel water bottles – they’re classy, indestructible, BPA-free and make your water taste better.

Reusable stainless steel bottles are the best alternative to plastic. Photo: Hiking South Africa.

Lastly, do not wash in water sources that rely on seepage or slow flow. Fill containers and wash well away from the source – not only to keep drinking water pure, but to protect sensitive ecosystems. In fast-flowing water, use only biodegradable soap, and the minimum amount.

On fire

Wildfires are mostly man-made and can be devastating in areas with dense vegetation or strong winds. The numerous burnt skeletons of slow-growing, endangered cedar trees are testimony to this scourge in the Cederberg. I often come across the remains of campfires in wilderness areas where fires are strictly prohibited. Fires can also start through discarded glass or even rockfall – a massive wildfire near Ceres was once started by a spark from an axe striking a rock.

Burnt cedar trees, a stark reminder of human-caused wildfires. Photo: Hiking South Africa.

In December 2016, a young member of the Scouts started a devastating fire at Crystal Pools when trying to burn toilet paper in dry, windy conditions. More than 16,000 hectares were razed, and the famous Sanddrif campsite was damaged. Inexperienced hikers should always be briefed on proper waste management – burning in those conditions is never acceptable.

Photo: Cederberg Fire Association (Source: Facebook).

There is some controversy about whether rubbish should ever be burned. After the devastating 2016 fire season in the Cape, my stance changed – the risk is simply too high. Even if some can burn responsibly, the practice should not be encouraged.

Scorched earth in the Cederberg after a wildfire. Photo: Hiking South Africa.

Cleaning up is not a chore

There will unfortunately always be those who litter. It may feel unfair to clean up after them, but consider it an act of service to nature. Littering is violence; cleaning up is care – something deeply positive and a privilege.

Crystal Pools – worth protecting through conscious action. Photo: Hiking South Africa.

For more info on how to minimise your impact in nature, refer to the Leave No Trace Principles – an excellent guide for sustainable outdoor ethics.